Constantine IV

Type Figure Region Eastern Roman Empire Time 652–685 Also known as Constantine IV、Κωνσταντῖνος Δ΄、Pogonatus

Constantine IV (652–685) was Eastern Roman emperor (r. 668–685), son of Constans II, famed for repelling the Arab siege of Constantinople (674–678) a…

Timeline

652–668Constantinople · ConstantinopleConstantine IV was the eldest son of Constans II, made co-emperor in 654 and trained in military and state affairs. During his father's western campaigns, he helped manage the court of Constantinople and the eastern defenses.
668–678Constantinople · ConstantinopleAcceded in 668 after his father's assassination. From 674–678 Arab fleets and armies besieged Constantinople; relying on Greek fire and the walls, Constantine IV ultimately repelled the invasion and forced the Arabs to sign a peace treaty, winning the empire an important strategic respite.
678–685Constantinople · ConstantinopleConvened the Third Council of Constantinople in 680–681, condemning Monophysitism (the single nature of Christ) as heresy and consolidating orthodox doctrine. In his later years he simplified the co-emperor arrangements for his sons and, before dying in 685, ensured the succession of his young son Justinian II.

Sources

Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium — Alexander Kazhdan (1991)
Byzantium in the Seventh Century — John Haldon (1990)